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The Dairy and Cancer Controversy: Milking the Evidence
Taylor E Scialo1, Crystal M Pace2, Donald I Abrams3
1Nutrition and Food Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilmington, DE, USA. taylor.scialo@va.gov.
Current Oncology Reports
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Dairy intake shows mixed results for cancer risk, potentially lowering colorectal cancer but increasing prostate cancer risk. A Mediterranean diet low in dairy may reduce overall cancer incidence.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cancer risk reduction is a major health concern.
- Dairy products offer nutrients but their role in cancer is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on dairy consumption and cancer risk.
- To explore the conflicting findings regarding dairy's impact on various cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and epidemiological studies.
- Analysis of data linking dairy intake to specific cancer types.
Main Results:
- Dairy consumption may reduce colorectal cancer risk.
- Cow's milk contains growth hormones (e.g., IGF-1) that may increase cancer risk.
- Dairy intake is linked to higher prostate cancer risk; findings for breast and ovarian cancers are mixed.
- Overall evidence on dairy and cancer remains inconclusive.
Conclusions:
- A diet rich in fiber (whole grains, fruits, vegetables) and low in dairy, similar to the Mediterranean diet, might lower cancer incidence.
- Further research is needed to clarify the precise role of dairy products in cancer risk.
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